Uprising(3)

Half a day later, inside a well-hidden house somewhere within the walls …

Captain Levi had returned to meet with the other members of his squad. 

His expression was grave, as was his gaze when he swept it across the squad members before him.

"And these … are the commander's orders."

"Wait. This is too sudden, Levi. Are you saying that Historia is actually from the true royal family … and that she is going to become queen?"

"That's right." Levi turned to face the blonde girl. "Historia, your thoughts?"

"I can't … there's … there's j-just no way."

Levi loomed over her. "So, no?" 

"I'm u-unfit for that role."

The captain closed in and grabbed her by the collar, lifting her until Petra stepped in between them.

"Stop!" Petra tried to push Levi's hands down but failed. "She's only fifteen!"

"Eren's only fifteen as well. But look at what he's done for humanity so far. We don't even know where he is right now." He replied without looking away. 

Armin stammered. "C-captain Levi. I-I'm sure we can talk this out nicely!" 

"Capt …"

The other members chimed in as well. Titans were scary, but not as scary as an angry Levi. They fought back the fear in their heart and spoke up. They had never seen the captain that pissed before. 

"Please," Petra begged.

Levi's gaze wavered a bit, before he released Historia's collars, letting her fall backward. There was a snort of displeasure followed by the captain's footsteps.

"I'll try to speak with her," Armin said, motioning for the rest of the people to leave the room as well.

"We're counting on you, kid. " Oluo patted him on the back and walked towards the doors, followed by the other members. Relief was written all over their faces.

A few moments later, the room was empty. Historia was still on the floor, her eyes staring at thin air.

"Please don't blame the captain. He probably just feels frustrated over what has happened, and is thinking of the interests of humanity." Armin filled a cup from a pitcher of water. "Here."

Historia was still in shock by the developments. Everything had happened too fast. First, it was Survey Corps finding out about her true family via Armin when they picked on something suspicious. Then she was suddenly being deployed to join the special operations squad for protection. Now it was the claim that she was of true royal lineage, and had to become the queen in order for humanity to survive.

"If someone out of nowhere told you that the fate of humanity depended on you and that you needed to become the ultimate ruler, most of them would probably react the way you did." Armin poured another glass of water for himself.

Historia bowed her head, her hands clutching her skirt tightly.

"But we don't have a choice. If you don't step up. Humanity will be finished. It will be hard to convince the people of the prolonged military rule thereafter, and rebellions will break out everywhere."

Historia knew that, but she was just a girl. A weak little girl abandoned by her father, scorned by her mother, looked down upon by almost everyone. She only found comfort in the moments with her few friends, Ymir and Armin.

"I don't have the courage … I can't. I'm not like you."

She recalled the day this short, blonde kid stood bravely atop the walls of Trost, rallying the soldiers to cheer on Eren. Historia's impression of Armin during the cadet days was that he was timid and shy, but the incident had changed her impression of him. 

Historia was even more shocked later on when she realized Armin had joined the Survey Corps. What happened to the cowering kid who looked so weak? 

Unknowingly, when she joined the scouting legion and was assigned to the same squad as Armin - Ness Squad; she found herself slowly drawn to him. Ymir seemed to catch wind of that and had been teasing her endlessly.

"You definitely can." Armin looked her in the eye.

She held her breath. Historia found herself once again enraptured by Armin's gaze. There weren't many people who believed in her, and she was more often used to the bullying looks of other people from a young age. 

"I-I need time."

 "Don't doubt yourself, Historia. You were brave enough to reveal your true past and name to the Survey Corps when I asked you back then. This shows that you care about humanity's survival too and that you have a will inside you to carry it through."

Historia partly disagreed. If it wasn't for Armin, she would never have revealed the secret that she carried for so long. That dummy. This wasn't something she would tell anyone unless she trusted them a lot. Nonetheless, she had to admit Armin was really an excellent orator and smooth talker, he was really persuasive.

Then she realized Armin's face was already right in front of hers, their noses almost touching. Her cheeks began to heat up as certain fantasies she never imagined possible began to run through her head.

The blonde kid was oblivious to the suggestive scenario unfolding before him.

"Historia? Is something wrong?"

She shook her head.

"I still don't think I can do it … but …"

"But?

She pressed her fingers together. "But if you promise to help me." Her head turned away. "I-I think I can try."

"Of course. Everyone in the Survey Corps will definitely back you up."

"That's not what I meant," Historia murmured quietly, soft enough that Armin couldn't hear her. 

She supposed there would be ample opportunities in the future to clarify her earlier statement.

===

Mitras, Throne Room.

A sorry-looking figure was led into the royal room by several MPs.

The person was none other than the infamous Erwin. He stole a glance at Pyxis and Nile who stood with a few of their men at the side.

The gaze he shot appeared firm, unwavering; but seemingly fraught with a tinge of worry and fears that were well-hidden - something that the man had learned to never let it show throughout his leadership in the Survey Corps.

Several seconds passed, and the military police stopped. They pushed down hard on the disgraced commander's shoulders, making the man fall to his knees.

In front of the Survey Corps Commander was a man seated on the throne, his eyes dull and uninterested. 

When Erwin saw the man, he instantly recognized it was the fake king who had been always absent from the affairs of the state. Two Assembly Nobles each flanked his side.

"Erwin Smith" One of the assembly nobles spoke in a stern voice. "Do you have any last words?"